Providing additional care, comfort and support
Friends of ANCHOR is committed to providing additional care, comfort and support for patients at the ANCHOR unit as well as their family members and friends. Below are some examples of what has been purchased and funded.
Friends of ANCHOR Clinican Nurse Specialist (CNS) - ANCHOR unit
The charity has agreed to fund the post of a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), who will work specifically with patients who have been diagnosed with either head & neck cancer or skin cancer. Cancer and Palliative care CNS's have made a significant contribution to the support, planning, delivery and monitoring of care for individuals affected by cancer in Grampian over the last 20 years. They also have a key role in providing information to patients and signposting patients to other sources of information and support.
Ms. Lynn Adams, Consultant Cancer Nurse
25 Dyson fans - ANCHOR unit - £4,355.96
These state of the art fans are proving to be extremely popular with patients and staff members alike, as they very quietly produce a stream of cooling air which helps reduce the high temperatures experienced throughout the clinics and wards of the ANCHOR unit. They are unique in that they actually produce cold air rather than just circulate it as with normal fans. These have no blades so they are also very easy to keep clean and germ free.
Large fridge / freezer for Ward 15 & 16 kitchen - £719
The old fridge freezer was broken and also had very limited space for storing special dietary drinks, fresh fruit portions, (which the charity supplied), and also frozen meals which some patients prefer and their relatives bring in for them. The decision to purchase a much larger capacity fridge freezer was taken as the NHS can only replace like for like under their severe budget cuts.
Senior Sister Gena Andrew, Ward 16, ANCHOR unit
Television for Clinic D waiting room area - £653.50
Patients and relatives can watch TV as they wait for their appointment.
Air fresheners refills & replacement batteries - £411.61
Air fresheners throughout the ANCHOR unit ensure it smells fresh and fragrant.
Weekly physiotherapy sessions for Haemophilia patients - £3,750 PA (approx)
A dedicated physiotherapy session for haemophilia patients will provide this patient group with physiotherapy for both treatment and prevention of bleeding episodes in their joints and muscles on an out patient basis.
Spreading Christmas cheer at the ANCHOR unit - gifts for patients - £474.64
Santa Claus (AKA Friends of ANCHOR Chairman) visited the ANCHOR unit on Monday 21 December 2009 along with comedian and actress Elaine C. Smith. They distributed gifts to ANCHOR patients and also tins of biscuits for wards.
Blanket warming cabinets for Wards 15, 16 & 17 - £13,995
Warm blankets will provide additional warmth and comfort to patients who are feeling chilled due to chemotherapy treatment especially when they are also using the cool cap system, and also for patients who may have an infection causing their temperature to fluctutate.
6 Duvets (Ward 17) - 216.90
These duvets are approved by NHS Grampian and comply with strict infection control and flame retardant standards. They are lightweight but warm and patients really like them as an alternative to blankets.
Haematology Clinic refurbishment - £6,500 (approx)
4 treatment couches, 24 comfortable waiting room chairs and information/leafet stands for the Haematology clinic which has been refurbished and due to re-open at the ANCHOR unit in the Spring.
20 Wheat/heat packs £134.04
These packs are microwaved and used by patients for any aches or pains or to ease the discomfort of very cold intravenous drugs being administered.
2 Electric hair clippers £58.70
Unfortunately one of the side effects from having certain types of chemotherapy is hair loss, using these clippers patients can chose to either shorten their hair or shave it.
Framed pictures for the ANCHOR wards £418.07
To brighten up the walls and wards of the ANCHOR unit.
Free fresh fruit packs
Patients can now enjoy regular snacks of fresh fruit. This initiative started in December 2008 and due to popular demand the twice weekly orders have now doubled in size to meet demand. As well as promoting a feeling of well-being and a healthy diet, vitamin C in fruit can also help boost people's immunity to infection. This is particullary important for patients recieving chemotherapy treatment as these drugs can weaken the immune system.
Exercise bike - Ward 16 - £93.79
This lightweight yet strong exercise bike allows patients to exercise while they are in isolation in a single room in Ward 16.
30 Electric fans - £270
The fans help to circulate and cool the air at patient's bedsides.
Reflexology & Massage Service
In June 2008, the charity appointed Mrs. Helen Young as a full time complementary therapist to provide a professional reflexology and massage service for all patients, free of charge, at the ANCHOR unit. These services help reduce the stress levels of patients making them feel more relaxed and also help to promote a feeling of well-being.
Ice Dispensers £6,541.23
These machines allow patients in the ANCHOR unit to have ice 24/7 for cooling drinks or to simply suck to give them some relief from painful mouth ulcers which can be a side effect of chemotherapy treatments.
Nintendo wii consoles, wii sports & wii fit packages £353.92
According to physiotherapist, Sarah Hughson, this equipment is proving to be extremely popular, great fun and beneficial, as it encourages and helps in-patients to get active.
Toasters £187.98
Industrial sized toasters were bought for the ward kitchens at the ANCHOR unit ensuring fast hot toast every morning for patients.
Flat screen TVs £14,507.65
All the old televisions have now been replaced throughout the wards. Patients have really noticed a difference and have commented that the new flat screen TVs are much easier and clearer to view from any angle than the old ones.
On-site therapy chairs £358
Two lightweight portable therapy chairs were purchased which allow patients to sit with correct posture while they receive a neck or back massage from the Friends of ANCHOR therapist, Helen Young.
CD/iPod Docking Micro Systems £259.96
These have been purchased for rooms where patients have to be isolated. The audio system allows patients to bring in their own music to listen to making them feel more at home, less stressed and much more relaxed.
12 Thermal pump flasks £352.36
Ensuring patient’s teas and coffees are always fresh and hot.
Specialist Chemotherapy Chairs and Waiting Area Furnishings £25,657.96
"We propose delivering chemotherapy to patients in a mixture of settings using a combination of reclining chairs, therapy chairs and beds depending on patient need. The therapy chairs have the added dimension of allowing patients to lay flat or sit up, and also allow medical and nursing staff to easily treat the patient should they become unwell during treatment. These specialist chairs benefit all patients with cancer for whom chemotherapy is prescribed and improve patient comfort and provide a relaxed, pleasant setting to receive treatment. We also wish to create a waiting area, screened off from the treatment area to allow privacy, yet not that patients feel isolated, or distressed by seeing other patients receiving treatment. Our plans are designed to try and create a cohesive unit where ultimately all chemotherapy is delivered and gives patients confidence that specialist care and knowledge is readily available."
Sue Brown, Unit Operational Manager, ANCHOR unit
Drug Fridge £343.32
Haemophiliac patients now receive home delivery of their Factor treatments. A patient who lives in Portsoy will not be available, due to work commitments, to be at home to receive his products. The home delivery company can deliver to his local hospital but they are desperately short of fridge space. This lockable fridge will allow the patients treatments to be delivered closer to home.
Tea Trolly and Items Approx £200
"During busy clinics, nurses do not always have time to go to the kitchen to make tea and coffee for patients. A trolley and pump flasks will allow nurses to make large flasks of tea and coffee so patients can help themselves throughout the day."
Joan Rae, ANCHOR Outpatients, Haematology day unit, ARI
Back, Neck & Feet Massage Cushions £340.63
“When patients are attending the ANCHOR Clinics they have to sometimes spend long spells sitting what can be an uncomfortable position. By offering patients the use of massage cushions this could help alleviate some of the discomfort they experience.”
Senior Sister Gena Andrew, Ward 16
Eight Fridges £952.00
New fridges for single rooms allow patients to be more self sufficiant allowing them the flexibility to have something to eat or a cool drink anytime they may wish.
Portable DVD players & DVD Library £707.05
"Being in hospital for long periods of time can be very stressful and boring at times. Haematology patients in particular can be in hospital for many weeks or even months at a time. These personal DVD players are lightweight and easy to view and have head phones so they don't disturb other patients. They are proving to be extremely popular and the DVD library has something for everyone to enjoy watching."
Senior Sister Gena Andrew, Ward 16
Laptrays £189.14
These trays have a beanbag attached underneath which ensures the trays don't slip or topple over, making them perfect when a patient is sitting on a chair recieving treatment and having lunch or a hot drink.
Spreading Christmas Cheer £404.42
"These folks are going through a difficult time, made worse by being stuck in hospital over the Christmas period, so we thought it would be nice to spread a little Christmas cheer by presenting a small gift to all the patients at the ANCHOR Unit."
J S Mine Chairman Friends of ANCHOR
Cancerbacup FACTFILE 2007 £658.00
The Cancerbacup FACTFILE 2007 is an easy way for the staff at the ANCHOR unit to provide patients with accurate, up-to-date cancer information whenever they need it. Every day patients have to make vital choices about their treatment and care so these files give them the right information at the right time and help make those choices easier.
